Garment and garment accessories having luminescent accents and fabrication method therefor

ABSTRACT

A garment provided with luminescent decoration includes a garment body and a length of piping supported thereon as a sleeve of mesh material that receives a length of flexible cable that can emit visible light therefrom. A power source is supported by the garment body and, when active, causes the cable to emit light that can pass through the piping so as to be seen by an observer. The piping can frame a portion of the garment body, can form a design feature or can be a portion of the garment body. The cable may be an electroluminescent wire, and the power source may be an alternating current source. The power source may be supported in a pouch on the garment body. The piping can have a mesh size of about one-sixteenth inches square. A method of forming a garment having light emitting accents is also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly relates to clothing garments of a type tobe worn as an outer covering for the body. More particularly, though,the present invention is directed to garments, which includes garmentaccessories, that have lighted accents, and method for fabricating suchgarments. Specifically, the present invention relates to such garmentswhich have luminescent accents that are used as costumes along with afabrication method for such garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clothing has been employed by virtually every culture since thebeginning of recorded time. Clothing has been used to protect againstthe elements as well as to exhibit modesty of the human form. The use ofclothing has even extended to the dressing of animals both as aprotection against the elements and as a decoration. Often, clothing issupplemented by various accessory items.

In addition to using clothing to protect against the elements and formodesty purposes, clothing has been employed as a costume forentertainment purposes. One such example, of course, is the use ofcostumes in the entertainment industry, especially in the performingarts. Costumes, however, are used by many people for festive occasions.Numerous holiday events are celebrated with parties where theparticipants are dressed up in costumes as an enhancement to the festivespirit.

Perhaps the most widespread use of costumes occurs around the holiday ofHalloween. Halloween celebrations traditionally include the use ofcostumes and make-up to alter a person's appearance. Here, both adultsand children dress in fanciful costumes to attend parties celebratingthe event. Children also dress in fanciful costumes and travelhouse-to-house requesting treats in the form of handouts from therespective residents or, in the alternative, playing generally harmlesspranks on the homeowner. Since the Halloween holiday has its roots onthe celebration of the dead or in the celebration of saints, manycostumes are designed with a pseudo-scary theme including costumesrepresenting ghosts, goblins, witches or other phantasms. In addition,some costumes may be directed to cartoon or other fanciful creatures orbeings, such as alien creatures, of a more humorous nature. There is,accordingly, a continued desire for novel appearing costumes andaccessories for those costumes. There is a continued desire to createnew visual appearances. The present invention is directed to meetingthis need.

In addition, with respect to Halloween costumes such as those worn bychildren, the present invention is also directed to meeting the need foradditional safety. In celebrating the Halloween holiday, when childrengo house-to-house requesting treats, this activity usually occurs atnight. Such children are susceptible to greater risks, such as traffic,since they are generally excited and may be less prone to safety. Forthis reason, children carry flashlights or other light emitting objectsso that they may be more visible to others. It is known, in this regard,to also use costumes that have reflective panels so as to increase thesafety of the children. The present invention provides luminescent wireson a costume also to accommodate this safety concern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide new and usefulgarments and garment accessories which may be worn or carried by humansor animals.

It is another object of the present invention to provide garments withportions that emit light so as to increase the decorative featuresand/or visibility of such garments and garment accessories.

A further object of the present invention is to provide garments andgarment accessories with electro-luminescent wires as well as a methodfor incorporating such wires into the structure of these garments andgarment accessories so as to provide accents for the garments andgarment accessories.

Still a further object of the present invention is to providefabrication methods for garments so as to have light emitting accentsthereon.

According to the present invention, then, a garment is adapted to beworn and includes light emitting ascents that are visible to anobserver. Broadly, the garment of the present invention includes agarment body that has a length of piping supported on the garment body.The piping is constructed as a sleeve of mesh material of a selectedmesh size so as to have a sidewall formed by loosely woven strands andwith the sleeve having an open interior. In any case, a length offlexible cable is then received in the interior of the sleeve. Here, thecable is of a type that can emit visible light therefrom. A power sourceis supported by the garment and is operative when in an active state tocause the length of cable to emit light such that light can pass throughthe piping thereby to visible to an observer.

In the embodiments shown, the strands of the piping form mesh openingswith the mesh openings being about {fraction (1/16)}″×{fraction (1/16)}″(1.6 mm×1.6 mm). The piping of the present invention can form a framearound a portion of the garment body. Further, the garment body mayinclude a light reflecting portion, and the piping and the cable is thendisposed adjacent to the light reflected portion.

In another embodiment, the piping itself can form a design feature onthe garment. In still another embodiment, the garment body can have anindependent decorative element formed thereon and the piping can beassociated with the decorative element so as to cooperate with thedecorative element thereby to form a decorative design. Here, thedecorative element can also be formed by a piece of fabric material.Indeed, according to further embodiment of the present invention, thepiping itself can be a portion of the garment body. For example, thegarment body can include a frame portion formed of a stiff wire. Here,the piping can extend coextensively with the wire and be supportedthereby.

The length of flexible cable that is received in the length of pipingcan, for example, be an electro-luminescent wire that produces light inresponse to an applied electric current. In any event, it is preferredthat the cable, such as the electro-luminescent wire be formed of asubstantially non-toxic material. Where the cable is anelectro-luminescent wire, the power source is operative to produce anelectric current and the power source is, of course, in electricalcommunication with the electro-luminescent wire. The power source mayproduce an alternating electric current and, here, the power source maybe a battery operated inverter. The power source is shown to besupported by the garment body. For example, a pouch may be secured tothe garment body with the pouch sized and adapted to receive and supportthe power source.

The present invention further contemplates a method of forming a garmentutilizing any of the structural features noted above. Particularly, thismethod provides a garment that has light emitting accents. Broadly themethod includes a step of affixing a piping to a portion of the garmentas a sleeve having an interior wherein said piping has a sidewall formedby loosely woven strands. The broad method includes the steps of placinga length of flexible cable in the interior of the sleeve wherein thecable is of a type that can emit visible light therefrom and causing thecable to emit light.

In this method, the piping can be affixed to said garment by sewing saidpiping at a seam between two garment portions. If desired, the piping isaffixed to said garment along with an associated independent decorativeelement adjacent thereto. In this method, too, the cable is anelectro-luminescent wire and the step of causing said cable to emitlight is accomplished by applying an electric current to said wire. Thepiping can be selected to have a mesh size with mesh openings of about{fraction (1/16)}^(th) inch by {fraction (1/16)}^(th) inch (1.6 mm by1.6 mm), if desired.

These and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child wearing a garment in the form ofa costume according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front view in elevation of the hood portion of the costumeshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the piping seam and electro-luminescentwire according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side-view partially broken away of the hood shown in FIGS. 1and 2;

FIG. 7 is a front view in elevation of a second garment in the form of acostume according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side-view in elevation of the costume shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the power source used with the garmentshown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is perspective view of a garment accessory according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a front view in elevation of a portion of yet another garmentaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a rear view in elevation showing a costume accessory that isagain according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention broadly concerns clothing of the type that isadapted to be worn by humans or animals. This invention is particularlyadapted for use in costume designs, although it should be understoodthat the scope of this invention is not restricted to costumes oraccessories for costumes. Indeed, the present invention can relate toenhancing the appearance of any garment or garment accessory usingelectro-luminescent wires. Accordingly, as is used herein, the term“garment” includes both a traditional garment, such as clothing, as wellas a garment accessory.

An important aspect of the present invention, as described below, is theuse of a luminescent wire that is powered by a suitable power source.While the present invention is described with respect to an enablingembodiment of such a wire, it should be understood that other lightemitting strands of any type currently known or hereinafter developed isintended to be encompassed by the scope of this disclosure and withinthe scope of this invention.

By way of introduction of the present invention, reference is first madeto FIG. 1 wherein it may be seen that a child is wearing a garment 10 inthe form of costume that includes garment body portions such as a slipover robe 12 and a hood 14. Hood 14 includes a shroud 16 and a facepanel 18 and, together with robe 12, loosely simulates the appearance ofan alien. Hood 14 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. Here,it may be seen that shroud 16 includes a head covering 20 and a skirt 22which are joined together around a seam line 24. Head covering 20 andskirt 22 are formed of any suitable flexible cloth which, if desired,may be a stretchy, resilient material. Head covering 20 has a frontmargin that is surrounded by a stuffed pleat 26 which has opposite ends28 and 30 that are proximate to seam 24 and extends in a close loopedoval around face panel 18. Face panel 18 has its perimeter joined in aseam 32 to pleat 26 and head covering 20.

A length of piping 34 is also joined at seam 32 and extends around facepanel 18. Piping 34 carries an electro-luminescent wire 36 that, asdescribed below, may be powered to emit visible light of a selectedcolor. The structure of piping 34, however, is best shown in FIGS. 4 and5 where it may be seen that piping 34 is constructed as a sleeve 38 ofloosely woven strands 40. Sleeve 38 is constructed as a strip ofmaterial having margins 42 and 44 joined by stitching 46 to create anenclosed structure having an open interior 48 that is separated from theexterior by means of a surrounding sidewall 50. Sidewall 50 is formed ofthe mesh material that creates sleeve 38, and, in this embodiment, thismaterial is a 100% polyester netting having mesh openings approximately{fraction (1/16)} inch by {fraction (1/16)} inch (1.6 mm by 1.6 mm). Itshould be understood, however, that other materials are suitable forthis purpose, whether such sizes are larger or smaller. In any event, itis contemplated that the material be strong enough to support theelectro-luminescent wire, be substantial enough to contour the wire inthe desired configuration and yet be open enough in mesh size to allowthe wire to be readily viewed. Smaller mesh size would be desirable ifthe user wanted a muted or diffused appearance to be obtained for theemitted light.

The electro-luminescent wire 36, in this embodiment, is chosen to be aflexible linear light emitting wire such as that sold under thetrademark LyTec™ by ELAM Electro-Luminescent Industries Ltd. Jerusalem91450, Israel. This electro-luminescent wire is, in essence, a lightemitting capacitor formed by a light emitting electro-luminescent semiconductor layer sandwiched between two conductive electrodes. Generally,a copper wire serves as a core electrode, and the copper wire is coatedwith several layers of dielectric and semi-conductor materials whichtogether form a co-axial construction. A transparent conductive layer isadded with two thin copper wires which serve as a second electrode. Amore detailed description of this electro-luminescent wire is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930 issued Feb. 9, 1999 to Baumberg et al., thetechnical disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it may be seen, then, that wire 36 isshown to have a conductive core 52 which is surrounded by anelectro-luminescent layer 54 which may be an electroluminophor in aflexible binder, for example, one made with a cyanoethyl starch. Thisstructure is embedded in an inner insulation layer 56 in which outerconductors 58 are also embedded. An outer insulation layer 60 is thenprovided to form a protective shield for electro-luminescent wire 6.

This electro-luminescent wire 36 has the ability to emit light uniformlyalong the its length when an alternating electric current is appliedthereto. Moreover, it is flexible, durable, and non-toxic. Importantly,it may be constructed to emit light in a wide range of colors. To thisend, the electroluminophor may be doped with copper and/or manganese invarious proportions to produce different colors. It should beunderstood, however, that other flexible cables, such as fiber opticcables, may be used to obtain the effects desired for the garment of thepresent invention. Thus, when used herein, reference to a cable that canemit light therefrom means any elongated wire-like structure nowexisting or hereinafter developed that can either generate light orconduct light in a manner that allows the light to exit through itssidewall in a relatively uniform manner thereby to give the wire-likestructure a glowing appearance. On the other hand, “electo-luminescentwire” means a structure that produces light upon the application of anelectrical current.

Sleeve 38 in the construction above, is chosen to have a very open weaveso as to allow light emanating from electro-luminescent wire 38 to passtherethrough without significant attenuation. It should have across-sectional dimension slightly larger than the cross-sectionaldimension of electro-luminescent wire 36 for ease of insertion of wire36 therein during the manufacturing process.

A partially broken away side view of hood 14 is illustrated in FIG. 6.In this figure, it may be seen that electro-luminescent wire may bepowered by an alternating current power supply 62. To this end,conductive core 52 and outer conductors 58 are in electricalcommunication by means of wires 64 connected to power supply 62. Powersupply 62 is preferably a battery-operated inverter which converts a3-volt DC battery supply to a suitable frequency alternating current andvoltage. Where a light conducting cable is used, the ordinarily skilledperson should appreciate that the power supply necessarily includes alight source directing visible light into the cable for transmissionthereof. In any event, the power supply is operative in an active stateto cause the length of cable to emit light therefrom.

As shown in the Figures, power supply 62 is supported by the garmentbody. In FIG. 6, power supply 62 is depicted as received in a pouch 66that is preferably formed of a flexible material having an upper revers68 that is sewn into seam 32 during construction of hood 14. Pouch 66has an open slit 70 to allow insertion and removal of power supply 62 sothat its batteries may be easily replaced.

In the embodiment of the invention described above with respect to hood14, it may be appreciated that piping 34 and, thus, electro-luminescentwire 36, serves to frame a garment portion, in this case face panel 18,so that the piping is adjacent to the garment portion. Face panel 18 maybe formed of a translucent and reflective material which possesses aniridescent reflectivity. Light emitting from the piping which framesface panel 18 and is adjacent to panel 18 may thereby be reflected fromthe face panel to give an eerie, glowing appearance to the costume andthus enhance the alien image. The material, however, should readily passair so that a person may breathe through face panel 18 withoutimpediment.

In addition to framing a garment portion, the piping andelectro-luminescent wire of the present invention may be used as acomplimentary decorative feature itself. For example, as is shown inFIG. 7, piping 134 is shown affixed diagonally on the front portion of acostume 110 which, in this embodiment, is in the form of an heraldicsurcoat or tunic. With reference to FIG. 8, it may be seen that tunic110 includes a front panel 112 a rear panel 114 and shoulder panel 116which includes a neck opening 118 so that tunic 110 may be placed over awearer's head with panels 112 and 114 draped on the front and back ofthe body, respectively.

Piping 134 simply forms a decorative diagonal band which, in this case,extends from the neck line diagonally and downwardly to the left edge oftunic 110. Piping 134 is again formed of an open mesh sleeve 138 whichcarries an electro-luminescent wire 136, as described above.Electro-luminescent wire 136 is again in electrical communication withan AC power supply 162 by means of wires 164 with AC power supply 162having a convenient on/off button 163. Power supply 162 is againreceived in a pouch 166 formed by mesh panels secured by stitching 180along a top edge and by stitching 182 along a side margin. To this end,then, pouch 166 is affixed on two sides only to front panel 112 of tunic110. Pouch 166 includes a slit 170 to allow access to power supply 162.Thus, piping 134 and electro-luminescent wire 136 define a decorativefeature or accent on the garment body, which here is in the form of thetunic 110.

FIG. 10 illustrates a garment 210 in the form of a conical hat 212.Here, piping 234 extends circumferentially around hat 212 and is sewn ata seam with an independent decorative element defined by fabric lacework 235 so as to be associated with the independent decorative elementand cooperate with the decorative element to form an integrated design.Piping 234 again carries the electro-luminescent wire 236 and, in thisembodiment, is should be understood that piping 234 may extendcompletely around hat 212 or only partially around circumference of acircular cross-section thereof. In this embodiment, like the embodimentshown in FIG. 7, piping 234 forms a decorative feature both alone and inconjunction with lace 235.

In FIG. 11, it may be seen that the piping and electro-luminescent wireused in the present invention may form a garment portion in a matter notdissimilar to that with respect to face plate 18 described with respectto the first exemplary embodiment. Here, however, piping 334 carries anelectro-luminescent wire 336 and is sewn along the edge of collar 312 ofa garment 310 which, in this instance, is in the form of a cloak. Thus,collar 312 has a perimeter that is bounded by piping 334 withelectro-luminescent wire being connected to a power supply 362, shown inphantom, and secured in a pouch (not shown) formed as part of collar312.

Finally, with respect to FIG. 12, it may be appreciated that the pipingand electro-luminescent wire actually forms the major portion of thegarment, itself. In this embodiment the garment body 410 is in the formof insect or fairy wings formed by a stiff-wire frame 412 that isconfigured into a pair of wings 414 and 416. Piping 434 extendsco-extensive with bent-wire frame 412 as part of the garment body tocreate the wing appearance with piping 434 carrying electro-luminescentwire 436 as described above. A power source 462 is received in a pouch466 again provided with slit 470 with pouch 466 being suspended from acentral portion 418 located at a junction between wings 414 and 416.Shoulder straps 420 are provided to mount garment 410 to a human wearerand adjustable clips 422 are provided for ease in adjusting andreleasing shoulder straps 420.

The present invention further contemplates a method of forming a garmentutilizing any of the structural features noted above. Particularly, thismethod provides a garment that has light emitting accents. Broadly themethod includes a step of affixing a piping to a portion of the garmentas a sleeve having an interior wherein said piping has a sidewall formedby loosely woven strands. The broad method includes the steps of placinga length of flexible cable in the interior of the sleeve wherein thecable is of a type that can emit visible light therefrom and causing thecable to emit light.

In this method, the piping can be affixed to said garment by sewing saidpiping at a seam between two garment portions. If desired, the piping isaffixed to said garment along with an associated independent decorativeelement adjacent thereto. In this method, too, the cable is anelectro-luminescent wire and the step of causing said cable to emitlight is accomplished by applying an electric current to said wire. Thepiping can be selected to have a mesh size with mesh openings of about{fraction (1/16)}^(th) inch by {fraction (1/16)}^(th) inch (1.6 mm by1.6 mm), if desired.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degreeof particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present inventionis defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior artso that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplaryembodiments of the present invention without departing from theinventive concepts contained herein.

1. A garment adapted to be worn and including light emitting accentsvisible to an observer, comprising: (A) a garment body; (B) a length ofpiping supported on said garment body, said piping constructed as asleeve of mesh material of a selected mesh size so as to have a sidewallformed by loosely woven strands and having an open interior; (C) alength of flexible cable received in the interior of said sleeve, saidcable being of a type that can emit visible light therefrom; and (D) apower source supported by said garment body and operative when in anactive state to cause said length of cable to emit light therefrom suchthat light can pass through said piping thereby to be visible to anobserver.
 2. A garment according to claim 1 wherein said piping frames aportion of said garment body.
 3. A garment according to claim 1 whereinsaid piping forms a design feature on said garment.
 4. A garmentaccording to claim 3 wherein said garment body has an independentdecorative element formed thereon, said piping being associated withsaid decorative element so as to cooperate with said decorative elementthereby to form a decorative design.
 5. A garment according to claim 4wherein said decorative element is formed by a piece of fabric material.6. A garment according to claim 1 wherein said piping forms a portion ofsaid garment body.
 7. A garment according to claim 1 wherein said meshsize is such as to have mesh openings of about {fraction (1/16)}^(th)inch by {fraction (1/16)}^(th) inch (1.6 mm by 1.6 mm).
 8. A garmentaccording to claim 1 wherein said garment body includes a lightreflecting portion, said piping and said cable being disposed adjacentto said light reflecting portion.
 9. A garment according to claim 1including a pouch secured to said garment body, said pouch sized andadapted to receive and support said power source.
 10. A garmentaccording to claim 1 wherein said cable is an electroluminescent wirethat produces light in response to an applied electric current, saidpower source operative to produce an electric current and in electricalcommunication with said electroluminescent wire.
 11. A garment accordingto claim 10 wherein said power source produces and alternating electriccurrent.
 12. A garment according to claim 11 wherein said power sourceis a battery operated inverter.
 13. A garment according to claim 1wherein said cable is formed substantially of a non-toxic material. 14.A garment according to claim 1 wherein said garment body includes aframe portion formed of a stiff wire, said piping extendingcoextensively with said wire and being supported thereby.
 15. A garmentadapted to be worn and including light emitting accents visible to anobserver, comprising: (A) a garment body; (B) a length of flexibleelectroluminescent wire supported by said garment body, saidelectroluminescent wire operative to produce visible light in responseto an applied electric current; (C) an electric power source supportedby said garment body and in electrical communication with saidelectroluminescent wire such that, when in an active state, said powersource causes said length of electroluminescent wire to emit lighttherefrom; and (D) a pouch secured to said garment body, said pouchsized and adapted to receive and support said electric power source. 16.A garment according to claim 15 wherein said garment body includespiping supported thereon, said piping constructed as a sleeve of meshmaterial of a selected mesh size so as to have a sidewall formed byloosely woven strands and having an open interior, saidelectroluminescent wire being disposed in said sleeve.
 17. A garmentaccording to claim 16 wherein said mesh size is such as to have meshopenings of about {fraction (1/16)}^(th) inch by {fraction (1/16)}^(th)inch (1.6 mm by 1.6 mm).
 18. A garment according to claim 15 whereinsaid electroluminescent wire frames a portion of said garment body. 19.A garment according to claim 15 wherein said electroluminescent wireforms a design feature on said garment.
 20. A garment according to claim19 wherein said garment body has a decorative element formed thereon,said electroluminescent wire being associated with said decorativeelement so as to cooperate with said decorative element thereby to forma decorative design.
 21. A garment according to claim 15 wherein saidgarment body includes a light reflecting portion, saidelectroluminescent wire being disposed adjacent to said light reflectingportion.
 22. A garment according to claim 15 wherein said power sourceproduces and alternating electric current.
 23. A garment according toclaim 22 wherein said power source is a battery operated inverter.
 24. Agarment adapted to be worn and including light emitting accents visibleto an observer, comprising: (A) a garment body; (B) a length of pipingsupported on said garment body, said piping constructed as a sleeve ofmesh material of a selected mesh size having mesh openings of about{fraction (1/16)}^(th) inch by {fraction (1/16)}^(th) inch (1.6 mm by1.6 mm) so as to have a sidewall formed by loosely woven strands andhaving an open interior; (C) a length of flexible electroluminescentwire received in the interior of said sleeve, said electroluminescentwire operative to produce visible light in response to an appliedelectric current; and (D) an electric power source supported by saidgarment body and in electrical communication with saidelectroluminescent wire such that, when in an active state, said powersource causes said length of electroluminescent wire to emit lighttherefrom.such that light can pass through said piping thereby to bevisible to an observer.
 25. A garment according to claim 24 including apouch secured to said garment body, said pouch sized and adapted toreceive and support said electric power source.
 26. A garment accordingto claim 24 wherein said piping frames a portion of said garment body.27. A garment according to claim 24 wherein said piping forms a designfeature on said garment.
 28. A garment according to claim 27 whereinsaid garment body has an independent decorative element formed thereof,said piping being associated with said decorative element so as tocooperate with said decorative element thereby to form a decorativedesign.
 29. A garment according to claim 24 wherein said garment bodyincludes a light reflecting portion, said piping being disposed adjacentto said light reflecting portion.
 30. A garment according to claim 24wherein said power source produces and alternating electric current. 31.A garment according to claim 30 wherein said power source is a batteryoperated inverter.
 32. A method of forming a garment so as to have lightemitting accents, comprising: affixing a piping to a portion of thegarment as a sleeve having an interior wherein said piping has asidewall formed by loosely woven strands; placing a length of flexiblecable in the interior of said sleeve wherein said cable is of a typethat can emit visible light therefrom; and causing said cable to emitlight.
 33. A method according to claim 32 wherein said piping is affixedto said garment by sewing said piping at a seam between two garmentportions.
 34. A method according to claim 32 wherein said piping isaffixed to said garment along with an associated independent decorativeelement adjacent thereto.
 35. A method according to claim 32 whereinsaid cable is an electro-luminescent wire and the step of causing saidcable to emit light is accomplished by applying an electric current tosaid wire.
 36. A method according to claim 32 wherein said piping has amesh size so as to have mesh openings of about {fraction (1/16)}^(th)inch by {fraction (1/16)}^(th) inch (1.6 mm by 1.6 mm).